Deceased man found near Hellhole Canyon identified

A man found dead near Hellhole Canyon Saturday has been identified as Samuel Holiman, according to a press release on the County of San Diego Medical Examiner's Office website.

Holiman's body was found late Saturday afternoon on a trail in Hellhole Canyon County Park according to Lt. Dan Breslin with the Valley Center Sheriff Office Substation. The deceased was not believed to be a victim of a homicide according to previous reports.

"That is something the medical examiner would have to speak on," Breslin said. "They would look at the body and be able to determine forensically if that was the case."

Previous news reports say the remains were located by a jogger who was visiting the area and decided to go running rather than visit one of the local casinos with his wife.

At approximately 4 p.m., the unidentified runner called 911 to report the body which was located on a rugged trail in Hellhole Canyon.

Holiman appeared to have died a few days prior to being found, a sheriff's official said. It is possible his body was disturbed by animals. A helicopter and ATV were unable to reach the body Saturday night due to the rugged terrain and fading light.

"From that point, when the body was found it was getting dark," Breslin said. "We couldn't reach the body because of the terrain and the helicopter couldn't land in a safe area."

Holiman's remains were recovered on Sunday and turned over to the Medical Examiner's Office who later identified the body. The cause of death is still under investigation.

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